September 9, 1998

“The Liberal Arts in the 21st
Century” is Topic of Sixth Annual Clifford Symposium at Middlebury
College

Offering three lectures and a panel discussion, the
sixth annual Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium, “The Liberal
Arts in the 21st Century,” will take place on
Sept. 18-19. All symposium events, which are open to the public
and free of charge, will be held at the Middlebury College Center
for the Arts on South Main Street (Route 30).

The inspiration for the symposium’s topic originated
from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s discourse before a Middlebury College
debating society in 1845 about what it means to be a student trained
in the liberal arts. Prior to the symposium, speakers were invited
to read the text of Emerson’s talk. With Emerson’s thoughts in
mind, the speakers will examine the present state of research
in each of their fields, the best ways to teach and engage students
in the study of this research, and its continuing place in the
pursuit of knowledge. They also will address the broader question
of the place of a liberal arts education in an increasingly diverse
society.

Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor in the Arts and
Humanities and president of Bard College, will give a talk, “Beyond
Platitudes and Rhetoric: Making Sense of the Liberal Arts in Contemporary
Culture,” on Friday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Richard Brodhead,
A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and
dean of Yale College, will speak “On Preparation for an Unknown
World” on Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.

Roger Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer Science,
Psychology, Education and Social Policy, and director of the Institute
for the Learning Science at Northwestern University, will discuss
“Learning and Interactive Media”
on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. followed
by a panel discussion. Botstein, Schank and Brodhead, as well
as two Middlebury College professors-Robert
Schine, Curt
Silberman Professor of Jewish Studies, and dean of the faculty;
and Marjorie Lamberti, Charles A. Dana Professor
of History-will participate
in the panel. The Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium was established
by the Middlebury College board of trustees in 1993 to honor the
distinguished career of Nicholas R. Clifford, College professor
emeritus of history. Clifford was a member of the Middlebury College
history department from 1966-1993, and served as vice president
for academic affairs on three occasions, from 1979-1985, in 1989,
and from 1991-1993.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, Sept. 18

4:30 p.m. Middlebury College
Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “Beyond
Platitudes and Rhetoric: Making Sense of the Liberal Arts in Contemporary
Culture,” Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor in the Arts
and Humanities and president of Bard College.

8 p.m. Middlebury College
Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “On
Preparation for an Unknown World,” Richard Brodhead, A. Bartlett
Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and dean of Yale
College.

Saturday, Sept. 19

10 a.m. Middlebury College
Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “Learning
and Interactive Media,”
Roger Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer
Science, Psychology, Education and Social Policy, and director
of the Institute for the Learning Science at Northwestern University.

Following 10 a.m. lecture,
Middlebury College Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route
30) panel discussion. Panelists: Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor
in the Arts and Humanities and president of Bard College; Roger
Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer Science, Psychology,
Education and Social Policy, and director of the Institute for
the Learning Science at Northwestern University; Richard Brodhead,
A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and
dean of Yale College; Robert
Schine, Curt Silberman Professor of Jewish
Studies and dean of the faculty at Middlebury College; Marjorie
Lamberti, Charles A. Dana Professor of History
at Middlebury College.